Could CBD Be Used As An Antibiotic?

The relationship between infection and standard prescription antibiotics

Could CBD work in the fight against resistant bacterial strains? The results from the University of Queensland in Australia recommend that it is possible. But prior to taking a look at the study in depth, it works to understand the advancement of the relationship between germs and prescription antibiotics.

Considering that the innovative discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928, prescription antibiotics have actually been a vital tool in the fight against germs and infections. And although we still utilize the same proven approaches today, germs have actually progressed. When exposed to prescription antibiotics, certain germs, fungis and parasites have the ability to adjust and cancel the effectiveness of the drug by developing resistance.

It’s worth pointing out that antimicrobial resistance was likely to happen anyway, as the hereditary code for germs modifications over time. However, it is thought that the overuse of prescription antibiotics is an essential aspect that accelerates the advancement of resistant strains.

According to the World Health Organization, antimicrobial resistance “is an increasingly serious threat to international public health that requires action in all sectors of federal government and in society.” This has actually led researchers to think outside the box by attempting to determine compounds that could be useful in the fight against harmful germs. One of these compounds is cannabidiol (CBD), a cannabinoid found in Cannabis sativa.

Scientists are trying to find brand-new methods to attack infections and resistant germs.

Dr. Mark Blaskovich, Principal Investigator and Program Coordinator for the Community for Open Antimicrobial Drug Discovery and Senior Research Officer at the Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland, concluded that CBD works against Gram-positive germs. Stress of Gram-positive germs include Staphylococcus aureus (typical in skin infections) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (typical in bacterial pneumonia).

Dr. Blaskovich presented his findings at a yearly meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. In vitro samples of both kinds of gram-positive germs were treated with artificial CBD. The results led Dr. Blaskovich to the conclusion that CBD works at levels similar to those of prescription antibiotics vancomycin and daptomycin. He also found that CBD appeared to work against gram-positive strains of resistant germs, which lots of standard prescription antibiotics are starting to stop working.

” In specific, the activity was selected against the resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, VISA, SARV), Streptococcus pneumoniae (MDR), and Enterococcus faecalis (ERV). Cannabidiol was bactericidal, had a low propensity to induce resistance and was active against MRSA biofilms. “

The group also carried out another study utilizing topical CBD to treat a skin infection in mice. Again, although the results were positive, CBD did not appear to eliminate the infection, but merely to lower the number of bacterial cells.

Could CBD become an antibiotic?

While it is easy to hail this work as a significant development in the antibacterial abilities of CBD, it is too soon to give up on penicillin.

Although it is thought that the effectiveness of CBD could come from the way it attacks the biofilm surrounding bacterial cells, the authors are still unsure of the system of action of CBD. They also did not hesitate to mention the shortcomings of the study. Dr. Blaskovich mentioned that considering that the results are in the initial phases, it is far prematurely for people to begin treating their CBD infections themselves.

The study was also carried out in vitro (outside the body), and there is a risk that the results of scientific trials will not be the same. A number of compounds have actually shown antibacterial efficacy in petri meals, but then failed at this vital phase. It needs to also be pointed out that the two research studies were carried out in collaboration with Botanix Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a pharmaceutical business concentrating on topical CBD products.

However, this research could be an essential advance for CBD and the fight against antimicrobial resistance. CBD continues to have an excellent security profile and is ruled out hazardous even in large quantities. Fortunately, Dr. Blaskovich and his group plan to continue their research.

Helpful Links

Legal

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT

Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.